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Once you've covered the garage basics, it's worth picking up a few specialty tools that make specific tasks a little less frustrating. Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Problem solvers: 13 specialty tools to rescue you from DIY defeat

The right tool at the right time makes all the difference

February 24, 2016

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It may be a poor craftsman who blames his tools, but good luck telling that to the guy whose blowtorch-and-vise grip antics just led to another snapped-off bolt. Sometimes, the right tool means the difference between fulfilling work and frustration.

To that end, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite specialty gizmos from our collective decades of amateur wrenching and added a few new ones designed to restore sanity to the garage. When it comes time to call on them, you’ll agree that they’ve earned their places in your tool chest many times over.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

­­Line-forming pliers

There’s something immensely satisfying about forming your own brake and fuel lines (especially if you start with pre-flared stock). Often, inexpensive line-bending tools can’t form tight radii; Eastwood’s pliers do the trick. $25; get it here.

Dickies coveralls

You’ll fear neither filth nor snag in an inexpensive, hard-wearing set of coveralls. Plus, there’s something transformative about putting them on before diving into a tough project -- sort of like donning a superhero cape. You look good. Trust us. $30; get it here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Torque wrench

You know you should own one of these, and you know you should use it. But do you? Turns out that “tight as you can possibly make it” isn’t an actual torque specification, so get an old-school beam-style torque wrench and do it by the book. Or Haynes manual. You do have one of those, right? $25; get it here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Nut splitter

Ever snapped an exhaust flange bolt trying to remove a nut welded in place by time and oxidation? It’s not pretty, and neither is the machine shop work that follows. Don’t mess around -- crack the offending nut off with a splitter, clean the threads and start over with fresh hardware. $20; get it here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Multi wedge pry tool set

We’ve all popped off a piece of interior or exterior trim with a metal tool; most of us have instantly regretted it. There’s no reason to risk a gouge, especially when non-marring pry tools are cheap—far cheaper than touch-up paint or replacement parts, anyway. Buy a set of six now so you'll have them on hand when you need them. $15; get it here.

The Bone Mechanics Creeper

We’ve had cheap creepers, and we’ve used pricey “premium” creepers. If you’re going to be spending time under your car, take our advice: Go premium. This thing is downright comfy, and its big 5-inch casters roll over otherwise frustrating floor imperfections with ease. $140; get it here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Bendpack BL-5000XL Quickjack

A lift makes everything,from routine oil changes to fuel-line replacements, manageable -- and, dare we say, fun. With its 21-inch lift height and 5,000-pound capacity, the BL-5000XL QuickJack packs a good chunk of the functionality of a more expensive two- or four-post lift without permanently tying up floor space. $1,340; learn more here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Skyco Ospho surface prep

When a project stalls in the bare-metal phase -- we’re not judging, we’ve been there before -- paint on a surface protectant like Ospho to neutralize surface oxidation and prevent damaging rust from setting in. Wear gloves when applying; we like heavy-duty Venom nitrile goves, which won't immediately snag and tear. $10/quart; get it here.

Portable LED work light

Today’s cheap, abundant and durable LED work lights mean you will never again have to wrench in shadow -- or burn yourself on one of those delicate, but frighteningly hot, halogen lamps. It’s time to upgrade. $100; get it here.

Mercy Supply Co. craftsman's apron

An indulgence given the price, this made-in-the-USA waxed canvas-and-leather apron by Mercy Supply Co. is as tough as it is attractive. Great for small jobs that don't warrant coveralls, with plenty of pockets for tools and fasteners. Don't be afraid of that first oil stain -- these days, they call it "patina." $200; get it here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Tite-reach extension wrenches

Lengthen your reach -- and transfer torque -- into hard-to-reach crannies with these chain-driven wrench extenders. Available in a variety of lengths and socket drive head sizes; some are even compatible with impact drivers. We can't promise and end to bloody knuckles, but these ought to help. $27-$60; get it here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-volt hammer drill/driver kit

We can’t count how many times a good battery-operated drill has saved the day; this 1/2-drive hammer drill/driver is no exception. The brushless construction makes for a long life and brings enough torque to get the job done, but it’s controllable for touchy tasks. $270; get it here.

Photo by Michelle and Chris Gerard

Portable propane heater

To make your time in the garage as happy and productive as it can be, remove as many unpleasant factors as possible -- like bone-chilling, finger-numbing cold. Enter the powerful, economical propane-powered “torpedo” heater. With a wide range of BTU outputs offered by a variety of brands, there's a heater to fit your needs and budget. Just give it plenty of space; the only thing worse than being cold is being on fire. Priced from around $100, plus propane; get it here.

Graham Kozak
- Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they're doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too.
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